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Daily Archives: September 30, 2015

Under Suspicion

30 Wednesday Sep 2015

Posted by vinnieh in Movie Reviews

≈ 24 Comments

Tags

2000's, Gene Hackman, Monica Bellucci, Morgan Freeman, Stephen Hopkins, Thomas Jane, Thriller, Under Suspicion

Film Title

Under Suspicion

Director

Stephen Hopkins

  • Gene Hackman as Henry Hearst
  • Morgan Freeman as Captain Victor Benezet
  • Thomas Jane as Detective Felix Owens
  • Monica Bellucci as Chantal Hearst

I would hardly describe Under Suspicion as the best thriller I’ve ever seen, but it certainly does the job efficiently with style and a great cast to keep you biting your nails as its mystery is unearthed.

In Puerto Rico, Henry Hearst is a powerful and very rich lawyer who is called in police questioning one night, just as he’s about to give an important speech at a charity fundraiser for aid to the island after a devastating hurricane. Under Suspicion PosterThe previous day he reported finding the body of a young girl while out jogging and Victor Benezet, a police captain and old friend wants to ask him a few questions about it. The murder of the young girl is the second in a string of crimes and Benezet is under pressure to get to the bottom of it. Aided by the eager and cocky young detective Felix Owens, what starts as normal and routine questioning that was promised to take only a small amount of time slowly evolves into something deeper and darker as the various recounting of Henry’s actions begins to change alarmingly and his seedy private life comes into question. Under the grilling of both, Henry’s story begins to slowly unravel as cracks appear left right and centre, which makes the brash Henry look even more guilty as time slowly pushes on. But what is the truth and what is lies? And when Henry’s much younger trophy wife Chantal is interviewed with regards to her husband, things only get a whole lot more mysterious.

Director Stephen Hopkins brings a sense of visual panache with stylish flashbacks that incorporate the conversations of the present in between them blurring the line between truth and falsehood. Under Suspicion Gene Hackman and Morgan FreemanAs lies and deceit come spilling out of what originally appeared to be a simple routine questioning, Hopkins manages to crank the tension up, even when the movie appears to go down the by the numbers thriller route. As the film enters its final third it does become more than a little overly complex and the ultimate outcome undermines the build up a bit, but you can’t help but watch as it does keep you riveted because of the talent behind the camera and in front of it. The fact that Under Suspicion takes place largely in one setting, in this case police headquarters, lends the film a certain claustrophobic impact as Henry attempts to leave but his stories filled with multitudes of holes keep him from doing so and causes him to lock horns with the searching Victor. Morgan Freeman and Thomas JaneThe intense score, featuring carnival beats of Puerto Rico, gives another layer of mystery to the film as the case is blown wide open. When the plot gets a little sleepy, the score manages to lift it from slumber and give it life.

Gene Hackman and Morgan Freeman are both on cracking form here and there scenes of coming to blows are electric. Hackman possesses that charm and arrogance that belies something darker beneath, and Freeman exudes quiet intelligence and the questioning authority of the police captain. When these two acting greats are on screen, it’s a great thing to behold because of the amount of combined talent between them. Thomas Jane is well cast as the probing and hot-headed detective who from the get go is convinced that Henry is guilty as sin. Like Freeman, Jane’s character clashes with Hackman’s but with more physical force, instead of Freeman’s gradual ways of gaining information. Monica Bellucci is smouldering as the icy trophy wife, who has an air of enigma about her and hides that she’s knows more than she is letting on. Monica Bellucci Under SuspicionFor the first half she is largely on the sidelines, but eventually through her subtle face and actions, we see that she plays an important part in this mystery as she comes into her own in the latter part of the movie.

So while sometimes a bit jumbled and overly complex, Under Suspicion is nonetheless an absorbing thriller to watch.

 

Blogs You Should Follow Part 12

30 Wednesday Sep 2015

Posted by vinnieh in Blogging Community

≈ 23 Comments

Tags

Blogs You Should Follow

Blogging CommunityAnd now for three more fantastic blogs worthy of your attention and full of excellence.

Written In Blood: With an eye for alternative poster art and horror at the core, this blog is the pinnacle of greatness with it’s commitment to following the genre of horror.

Drew’s Movie Reviews: The eponymous Drew is a major bad ass and voracious cinephile to boot. If it’s anything you want to know about movies, he is your guy.

The Blazing Reel: Khalid runs this intriguing and very descriptive site. With a knack for 10 lists and honest takes on movies of all sorts, he’s a supremely dependable blogger.

 

 

Blogs You Should Follow Part 11

30 Wednesday Sep 2015

Posted by vinnieh in Blogging Community

≈ 24 Comments

Tags

Blogs You Should Follow

Blogging CommunityHi everyone. It is a great joy to do these posts as I love highlighting the brilliance, commitment and amazing talent I have come into contact with and the friendships I’ve made on the blogs I follow.

Pink Suburbia: Blessed with a killer sense of humour, Matt runs this eventful site. From movies and television, to his daily Man Crush Mondays, this guy is on fire and has emerged as an incredible blogger.

Parlor of Horror: With horror pretty much my favourite genre, it’s only natural that I’d put Mike’s superb site on. With an amazingly in-depth knowledge of the genre that stretches for miles, his blog is what I like to call horror central.

Life of This City Girl: The wonderfully fabulous Natasha documents pop culture and the adventures of her life. A truly engaging blog to read if ever there was one.

Happy Birthday Monica Bellucci

30 Wednesday Sep 2015

Posted by vinnieh in Birthdays and Tributes

≈ 59 Comments

Tags

Happy Birthday, Monica Bellucci

Monica BellucciA stunning international siren of beauty and talent, Monica Bellucci is the definition of a woman that will stop you in your tracks and today she turns 51. Yet there is a whole lot of talent and depth to her in her acting work that I think often goes unnoticed because of her stunning appearance. Her acting for me is all about shaded subtlety and nuance, she doesn’t need any big shouting scenes as she can say so much just with her face. Bellucci for me is just an all round personality, she has a sense of humour in interviews, her speaking voice is so mellifluous to listen to and she just exudes star quality. And I for one can’t wait to see her in the next Bond movie Spectre. So here is a photographic look at her wonderful career to celebrate her birthday.

Monica Bellucci Close Up

Monica Bellucci Black and White

Monica Bellucci Cat Suit

Monica Bellucci Topless

Monica Bellucci Flowers

Monica Bellucci Gorgeous

Monica Bellucci Leather Dress

 

 

 

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